What places are there in London. Westminster and its history. Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery

The place where the heart of Great Britain beats is, of course, called London. In this multi-million dollar city of luxury and British tradition, you can find a huge number of attractions that can outshine other historical relics of the world. Let's consider them in more detail.

The famous clock on the main tower

Sometimes tourists wonder where in London to look for Big Ben? The world-famous clock tower is located in the Palace of Westminster. The palace itself is the seat of both houses of the British Parliament.

Big Ben is considered a real gem of London architecture. The tower got its name thanks to the bell located in it. This bell strikes every hour, telling Londoners of the time.

The tower stretches to the sky at 96 meters in height. At its top there is an observation deck, to which 334 steps lead..

Big Ben is still one of the largest clockworks in the world. His work began in 1859. For safety reasons, excursions for a wide range of visitors to Big Ben are not carried out, but it is still possible to view the tower up close.

Historic London Museum

In 1753 Parliament approved the founding of the British Museum. Its 94 galleries with expositions are devoted to history and archeology. The institution received the main collections from Earl Harley, doctor Sloan and antiquary Cotton.

The British Museum has unusual workers - cats. Six cats there are approved and registered rat-catchers..

Colonial Britain, Africa and the East are only a small part of the directions in which the exhibits are presented in the museum. There are also many Greek relics and other European antiquities. The Russell Square tube station is located next to the museum.

The Queen's current palace

There are not many palaces left in the world, wherever in real mode the royal family lived. Buckingham Palace is a pleasant exception here, and is also considered the current residence of the Queen of England.

Buckingham palace complex can be called a small town. Indeed, in addition to the main building with luxurious halls and presentable rooms, there is a post office, a police station and even a pub.

The palace has 775 rooms that serve 700 people. total area complex with a garden is 20 hectares.

Tours of the palace are held in August and September. The changing of the guard in front of the palace is an entertainment accessible to tourists at any time of the year. Near the palace is the metro station St James Park.

Westminster and its history

In the 11th century, Westminster Abbey was outside the center of London. Then Buckingham Palace was rebuilt nearby, and Westminster itself received an important political status.

Today, within the walls of this castle is the House of Lords, as well as the House of Commons..

Near Westminster there are a huge number of "royal" attractions. Near the former abbey there is now a metro station of the same name.

Free Speech Park

Hyde Park is considered a favorite place for Londoners. There they walk along the alleys, relax on the grass, and can also speak at a special podium to speak out. The only restriction during a speech can be swear words and calls for violence, and you can speak publicly on any topic.

There is Serpentine Lake in the park area. Swimming is allowed.

The park is located near Kensington Palace. Hyde Park is connected to the palace park by a common area.

ferris wheel to the millennium

The height of the "London Eye" or the main Ferris wheel in London is 135 meters. This wheel, resembling an eye from afar, has only 32 cabins with transparent windows, which can accommodate up to 800 people at a time.

The London Eye service is top notch. There you can order champagne and strawberries. It is also possible to rent a cabin for two.

The revolution of the huge wheel ends in 30 minutes. The wheel is located in the Lambert area.

Tussauds and wax figures in London

The most famous and modern wax museum, which was invented by Madame Tussauds, is located in London. It was in the heart of Britain that the Frenchwoman moved her collection to escape the war.

The museum displays figures of various celebrities and historical figures. All of them are made of wax and plastic with amazing precision. Many exhibits are animated.

The museum is located on Marylebone Rd. In this institution, at the entrance, visitors are greeted by the famous Madame herself, made of wax, of course, and many exhibits can be touched.

Holmes and his museum

The museum of the legendary literary character is located in the house, whose number is determined as 239. Thanks to concessions from the authorities, this house was nevertheless assigned the number from the books of Arthur Conan Doyle 221b.

In the museum building, Holmes and Watson's rooms reconstructed from books, as well as Mrs. Hudson's apartments, are located on three floors. On the fourth floor there is an exhibition of wax figures.

You can find Sherlock Holmes' modern house on London's Baker Street. Near the museum there is a metro station of the same name with the street.

The largest gallery in the UK

All the best art in London is collected in one place - in the London National Gallery. There you can look at paintings from all over Western Europe, from the 12th century to the 20th century.

Today the gallery is located in the north of Trafalgar Square..

The new building of the gallery houses bars with excellent coffee. There you can buy books and posters in the gift shop. Tours with audio guides are organized for tourists.

One of the most famous streets

Piccadilly is mentioned more than once in numerous literary works. This street is the heart of Westminster. This avenue always looks lively, well-groomed and colorful.

The street got its name from a tailor who made piccadilly collars there..

This street has its own square and the Royal Academy. Both sides of Piccadilly are lined with trendy cafes and interesting shops.

City, Thames and architecture

The financial heart of London beats in the old part of the City. It is there that the Tower, the Mary Ax skyscraper, St. Paul's Cathedral are located.

City - a freaky combination architectural styles. Antiquity there harmoniously coexists with modern new buildings.

It is difficult to find residential buildings in the City, the London Stock Exchange, banks and offices are located there. The City is an area created not for life, but for work.

The most fashionable area

It so happened that Soho is one of the most expensive and fashionable parts of London. The area does not sleep even at night, it is there that the most reckless and extravagant parties are held.

In the 17th century, what is now Soho was a hunting ground. It is believed that the name of the area came from the hunting call "so-ho".

Soho has a huge number of bars. There is a gay quarter, as well as apartments where artists and creative bohemians like to live. Leicester Square Underground Station is located near the area.

Fortress on the banks of the Thames

The Tower is a real old fortress on the north bank of the Thames. After the construction, the fortress served defensive structure, then was a mint and even a zoo.

The height of the towers of the Tower is 30 meters. Built an ancient fortress in 1078.

Today the Tower is royal residence. There is a museum on the first floor of the fortress, where the iconic treasures of the British crown are exhibited. There is also an armory and a skating rink in the fortress, which is open from November until the end of winter.

London main bridge

The complex construction of the Tower Bridge is no less admirable than the views from its observation deck. When the bridge is raised for navigation, the pedestrian part of the structure remains untouched.

Today there is a museum on the ancient bridge. From the Tower Bridge you can see the best city panoramas of London.

The bridge was commissioned in 1894. Since then, its 244 meters long structure has been used for traffic and pedestrians.

Theater Globe

The old and famous Globe Theater hosts performances and performances from April to October. The rest of the time there are guided tours.

The theater is a reconstruction of a theater building from the 16th century. Performances are shown in natural light. The theater has no seating and a thatched roof only partially covers half of the stage.

The Globe is located on Bankside Street. Despite its historical surroundings, there are always long queues at the box office.

Opera House of the Kings

Covent Garden is a luxurious stronghold of the Royal Opera in London. The royal ballet and the royal troupe perform there. The theater acquired the final architectural version in 1990.

The auditorium can accommodate approximately 2,200 people. The ballet of this theater is patronized by the Queen herself, and the cast is patronized by the Prince of Wales.

Covent Garden is located on Covent Garden Piazza. You can get to it by buses number 9, 13, 153 from Piccadilly Street.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square- this is not only a beautiful place to relax, but also an interchange for many types of transport. It is on this square that the main Christmas tree of the country is lit every year.

The square is named after the victory at Trafalgar. An event took place in 1805.

There are many interesting and unusual sights in this historic square. Nearby is the underground station "Charing Cross".

The best place to buy groceries

The highest quality and freshest products in London are only in the Borough Market building. The best chefs of fashionable restaurants in the capital are bought there for themselves, and not for their business. This indicates the excellent quality of farm products in the Borough Market.

The oldest market in London has been operating since the 13th century. It sells ready-made food made according to family recipes and the freshest meat, as well as fish, milk, cheeses and other gastronomic delights..

True English products are available for purchase on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as on Friday and Saturday. Trading in the market starts at 9 am, and unofficially ends at 3 pm. London Bridge station is located next to the market. From the metro to get to the market, you have to walk for 10 minutes.

The oldest zoo in the world

Londoners can be proud to be the first to offer visitors a trip to an excellent zoo, aquarium, insectarium and serpentarium.

The world's first zoo appeared in Great Britain in 1828. Today it has collected more than 16 thousand animals..

The oldest zoo was founded by Thomas Raffles. It is located in central London, next to Regent's Park tube station.

Skyscraper for the Olympic Games

The Shard glass skyscraper was built in 2012 before the start of the Olympic Games. The height of the skyscraper is 309 meters. There are 72 floors in the building.

From the 68th to the 72nd floor, the Shard turns into a giant observation deck.

A high-speed elevator takes tourists to the top of the skyscraper. In 2012, the Shard was considered the tallest European skyscraper. The shard is at 32 London Bridge Street.

Chinatown in London

Chinatown is a small metropolitan area inhabited predominantly by Chinese families. The Chinese have lived in the area since Hong Kong was a British colony.

The Chinese area is very bright and colorful. It has an Asian vibe and sells some of the best Chinese food in London.

Today, the area has evolved into a restaurant and shopping option. There are few residents from China who own apartments there, but shops and cafes can be found in abundance.

Regent's Park and its beauty

Classical royal park in the English style appeared due to the predilection of Henry the Eighth for hunting. Smooth alleys, geometric flower beds and a standard set of trees do not make this park boring, but rather give it an aristocratic charm.

A beautiful lake and 400 varieties of roses are the real highlight of the park.

Regent's Park opens unusually early - at 5 am. There is a place for walking and relaxing until late at night. Next to it is a metro station with the same name.

highgate cemetery

Sad and beautiful, the site is the resting place of many famous Londoners. The cemetery began to work in the Victorian era. Initially, it was built up with Gothic tombs.

Several centuries ago, Londoners believed that one could quite meet a vampire in this cemetery at night. The surroundings of this place are a little sinister, but they are distinguished by a special gloomy beauty. There is a cemetery on Swain's Ln.

Cathedral of All Saints

All Saints Church in London is over 1500 years old. This impressive building is located in the center of the capital, and pleases the eye with its dissimilarity to modern buildings.

The church was built in 675. Before this period there was a settlement of the Romans.

Brass engravings and Roman mosaics on the floor harmoniously connect the different stylistic eras that this church has experienced in its history. Wooden statues of the fifteenth century will be of particular interest to tourists, because it is difficult to imagine that a tree can keep its appearance for so long. The temple is located in the City next to the Tower Bridge.

Theater of one play

In addition to theaters with a regularly updated repertoire, there is a theater in London that shows only one musical, The Lion King. "Lyceum" is a place where one of the aforementioned plays has been gathering full halls of spectators for 15 years. The building of the theater, listed as a national treasure of Britain, is located on Wellington Street. A visit to this place will be an excellent final chord when exploring London's sights. Especially if the trip to London was made with children.

The main sights of London

1. Westminster Abbey

The church is located to the west of the Palace of Westminster. Westminster Abbey is one of the most notable religious buildings in the United Kingdom and is the traditional coronation and burial place of British monarchs. Most of the current building dates from 1245, when Henry III decided to restore the old abbey in gothic style. The building was later considerably enlarged: the Henry VII Chapel was completed between 1503 and 1512, while the two towers of the Western Front date from 1745. Westminster Abbey is one of the central attractions of London.

2. Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster, better known today as the Houses of Parliament, is the oldest royal palace in London and on the World Heritage site it is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Built from 1840 on the site of significant earlier medieval structures, the Palace of Westminster became an outstanding example of neo-Gothic architecture. The current building mostly dates from the 19th century, when it was rebuilt after a fire. The Palace of Westminster is a fine example of the Victorian era. The House of Commons (Elected Members of Parliament) is located on the north side of the building, while the House of Lords is located on the south side of the building.

3. Big Ben

Big Ben, 150 years old, is one of London's top tourist attractions. The modern Big Ben was built in 1858. The clock has become a popular attraction and appears in many films. At the beginning, Big Ben was called the largest bell of Wesminster Abbey, but over time, the name passed to the clock and stuck forever.

4. St. Paul's Cathedral

Built in the 17th century, St Paul's Cathedral is one of London's best known and most recognizable landmarks. Cathedral heroically rescued by firefighters when it was bombed during World War II. Its impressive dome was inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and rises to a height of 118 meters. St Paul's Cathedral was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1962 and its dome is also one of the tallest in the world.

5. Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is named after the celebration of Lord Horatio Nelson's victory against Napoleon's fleet at Trafalgar in 1805. The central monument on the square is a column of dark gray marble, 44 meters high, on which the figure of Admiral Nelson rises. The column is decorated with frescoes made from the melted-down cannons of Napoleon's ships. Trafalgar Square is one of the most famous squares in the world and it is real center attraction for tourists from all over the world.

6. Tower of London

Royal Palace or Tower of London is historical castle located on the north coast River Thames V center London. This one of the symbols of the British crown and one of the oldest buildings in England. The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1078. It served as a prison from 1100 until the middle of the twentieth century. Today, the Tower of London is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London.

7 London Eye

The London Eye is located on the banks of the River Thames - this is a huge Ferris wheel, the height of which reaches 135 meters, on the wheel there are 32 capsules with glass walls and with the most high point the Ferris wheel offers stunning, fantastic panoramic views of London.

It is London's most popular paid tourist attraction with over 3.5 million visitors annually.

8. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the main residence of Queen Elizabeth II, although it belongs to the state and is not the personal property of the monarch. Construction Buckingham Palace began in 1703 for the Lord of Buckingham, but in 1762 King George III bought the castle for the royal family. The palace was officially declared the main residence of the British monarchs upon the accession of the queen Victoria in 1837. Today, it is one of the main attractions of London.

9. Hyde Park

London is full of huge beautiful parks, which the locals refer to as the lungs of the city. Hyde Park is one of the largest and most famous. The lands of Hyde Park belonged to Westminster Abbey until the 15th century, after which the future park became the hunting grounds of Henry VIII, and now it is a place of concerts, festivities and political speeches.

The real attraction of London's Hyde Park is Serpentine Lake, you can swim in it, as well as the statue of Achilles, Peter Pan, sculptures in the park and the memorial fountain of Princess Diana.

10 Leadenhall Market

One of London's most atmospheric Victorian shopping arcades, Leadenhall Market dates back to the 14th century, making it one of London's oldest covered markets. Restored in the early 90s, its current design dates back to 1881 and is the work of the architect Sir Horace, a striking combination stone pillars, red brick and ornate pavement topped with stained glass windows and vaulted glass ceilings.

Leadenhall Market is located in the historic centercity, in the financial district of the City.

11. Royal Academy of Arts

With a history dating back to 1768, the Royal Academy of Arts is Britain's oldest art society and also home to one of the country's most prestigious art schools.For art lovers, however, the main attraction is the world-class art gallery and the academy's regular exhibitions. The summer exhibition is a showcase of the best works of contemporary art and architecture of the year.

The gallery's permanent collection also offers an impressive variety of British art, from the 18th century to the present day.

The Royal Academy of Arts is located on Piccadilly Street.

12. Downing Street

Few addresses in London are as famous as 10 Downing Street, a Georgian townhouse and official residence and office of the British Prime Minister since 1735. Centuries of government meetings, important decisions and fateful intentions, as well as many scandals, from Winston Churchill to Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.

13. Cucumber (The Gherkin)

Affectionately known for its unusual shape, the Gherkin, this dazzlingly glazed skyscraper at 30 St Mary Ax is one of London's most distinctive landmarks, looming 180 meters above the City of London. Countsa multi-award winning design and architecture masterpiece of modern architecture, the work of the acclaimed Norman Foster and the Arup Group.

14. British Museum (British Museum)

The British Museum in London, founded in 1753, is a museum of the history and culture of mankind. Its collection of over 7 million objects is one of the largest and most complete in the world. The exhibits are brought from all over the world and they illustrate and document the history of human culture from its inception to the present. To visit all the sights of London you should book a city tour.

15. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is a combined draw and suspension bridge in London, across the River Thames. It is located near the Tower of London, from which the name of the bridge came and the bridge eventually became an iconic symbol of London. Construction began in 1886 and lasted eight years. The bridge consists of two towers, which are connected to each other at the upper level by means of two horizontal sidewalks.

16. Tate Gallery (Tate Modern)

The Tate Gallery is one of the best and most beloved art galleries London. Located in an old power plant on the south bank of the Thames. The art space for innovative and contemporary art is located in the turbine hall of the former TPP.

The gallery is in the top 10 most visited art museums peace.

There are many wonderful sights in London that have great importance on cultures and arts not only Great Britain but all over the world. Most of them are related to history. These are monuments, squares, majestic buildings. Every language learner should be able to describe the sights of London in English.

Sights of London in English

Big Ben

- one of the sights of London, which is considered a symbol of this city. This is not only what many associate with, but also the largest clock in the world.

To describe this attraction in London, you can use the following words:

How to describe London landmark Big Ben in English:

If you're into history and love looking at unusual, impressive buildings, then London is the perfect place for your next trip. This city easily falls in love with fans of contemporary art. In the capital of Great Britain, you can find many interesting objects and places that, in the truest sense of the word, breathe history. And this is not surprising, because London is a city founded by the Romans in the first century AD. A city with almost two thousand years of history.

The capital of the historically significant UK boasts many sights worth seeing. Let's now fast forward to the most famous of them:

The capital of Great Britain is famous bright combination of different styles. Firstly, the Queen of England lives there and many attractions are associated with the royal family. London, with a population of ten million, can rightly be considered one of the most big cities Europe. Tourists from all over the world come here for new impressions of old English architecture.

Trafalgar Square is considered the beating heart of London and the best starting point for exploring its central part. The place got its name after the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805. Today's view of Trafalgar Square is thanks to the architect Charles Barry, who once worked on the building of the British Parliament.

The square is also known as a favorite place for hundreds of pigeons, which the people of London have fed here since time immemorial. Feeding birds has been banned by law for several years now, as bird droppings have nothing to do with London attractions. Another well-known tradition on the square is the annual installation of a New Year tree brought from Oslo in gratitude for the help of the British for Norway during the Second World War.

Address: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN.

most famous and photogenic bridge London - Tower. It got its name from the two neo-gothic towers that serve as pillars. To move large ships along the Thames, the middle part of the bridge is raised.

The construction of the bridge began in 1886, with more than 400 workers working on its creation under the guidance of architect Horace Jones and John-Barry Wilf. At one time, the Tower Bridge was the most difficult drawbridge in the world, which was very difficult to manage. The original hydraulic equipment of the bridge can still be seen if you go on an excursion there. Most tourists, while walking along the bridge, being in a state of euphoria, give all their attention only to him, not paying attention to the surroundings.

If we walk a little further along south coast to the end of the bridge, you can get to Shad Thames. Across the river at the other end of the bridge you can get to St. Catherine's Docks, which is a harbor with sails along with residential buildings.

Address: Tower Bridge Road.

Big Ben is a famous symbol of the city. This richly decorated tower belongs to the Houses of Parliament and is famous for its bell. The original, 16 kg bell was cast in 1856, then it cracked and was recast, weighing 13.8 tons, which it still is. Interesting is the fact that Big Ben is described as the heaviest bell in the UK, while it is the third after the bell in St. Paul's Cathedral and Liverpool Cathedral.

The Big Ben building was designed in the Victorian-Gothic style and today is the pride of the capital of England. Big Ben's clock was also considered the largest in the world at one time. They consisted of 312 parts of glass and the lower part of the dial had the inscription: Domine salvam fac reginam nostram Victoriam primam (from Latin means the Lord protects our Queen Victoria I). Watches are known for their reliability. Their accuracy was maintained despite the bombings during World War II.

Address: Elizabeth Tower, Houses of Parliament.

This attraction is located in the heart of London and is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world. It was opened on December 31, 1999 and soon after its opening became the most visited attraction in the whole of the UK.

The attraction with a height of 135 meters is considered the highest in Europe. Until 2006, it even surpassed the Chinese Star of Nanchang. One revolution of the wheel around the axle lasts about 30 minutes. Interestingly, the wheel does not stop for passengers to board, because the traffic is so slow that passengers can disembark or, conversely, sit on the attraction slowly and comfortably. The London Eye moves at a speed of 26 cm per second. For comparison, the turtle moves twice as slowly.

Address: Lambeth, SE1 7PB.

Westminster Abbey is primarily a religious and Historical building. For many centuries, the most important ceremonies in English history took place under its roof. One is in awe just looking at the majestic façade of the building.

The abbey also serves as a religious shrine and place of eternal rest for famous British figures and rulers. For example, Charles Darwin, father of nuclear physics Ernest Rutherford, writer Rudyard Kipling (author of the Jangle Book) and Charles Dickens rested here. The most famous grave belongs to Sir Isaac Newton. The new rise in popularity of the building was brought by the novel The Da Vinci Code, which was released in 2003 and at one time outraged the leaders of the Christian church around the world.

Address: 20 Deans Yd-Westminster.

Piccadilly Circus is located between Big Ben and Tower Bridge. This area can often be seen on postcards. Piccadilly is one of the busiest transport hubs in London. It was founded at the end of the 18th century by the architect Nash. Now this place is considered one of the main shopping areas. In the middle of the square is a metal statue holding a bow and arrows, which confuses tourists who confuse the statue with the god of love. In fact, the statue means "the angel of Christian mercy."

Address: London, W1J 9HS.

Great Britain is the cradle of democracy, and the country's parliament is housed in the building Palace of Westminster which proves its importance and significance. The building is located on the left bank of the Thames right in the city center, close to the Westminster Underground.

Of the more than a thousand rooms in the palace, the most important are the House of Lords and the House of Commons. In the first chamber, the traditional ceremony of the beginning of parliamentary year(State Opening of Parliament), where the solemn speech of the members of the government is delivered and thus the political season officially begins. The oldest part of the palace is Westminster Hall. He remembers countless ceremonial rites, such as the coronation of King George IV or the funeral of Winston Churchill.

Between the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, you can often see a camp of strikers who display posters with various slogans and put forward their demands to politicians.

Address: Westminster, SW1A 0AA.

For three centuries, Buckingham Palace was inhabited by the families of the British Queen. The building was built in 1703. Today, it is the official residence of the queen and her relatives. Unfortunately, the palace was closed to the public for a long time. However, before entering, you can catch a glimpse of the royal guards. On special occasions, significant events are announced from the balcony of the palace. Opposite the entrance is a magnificent fountain.

Today the palace is open to the public and awaits tourists during the summer. Sometimes you can even see Queen Elizabeth, it is worth noting that this palace is not her only residence.

Address: Road Buckingham Palace.

In the central area on the left bank of the Thames, it is impossible to miss a visit to the huge St. Paul's Church. This cathedral is one of the largest in Europe. The church is dedicated to the Apostle Paul at the beginning of the seventh century. The temple was built in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. Its huge dome is covered with lead.

Address: St. Paul's Churchyard, London- EC4M 8AD.

The Royal Albert Hall is one of the main attractions of the fashionable area of ​​Kensington. The building has a characteristic oval shape with a glass dome and was built in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The underground station is not very close here, so it is best to get to Gloucester Road Station and South Kensington, and from there take a bus to the Albert Hall.

It is a great honor for everyone to sing on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, but not everyone is lucky. For example, in 1977, the final concert tour of Europe by the legendary Abby took place, whose concert they wished to attend. 3.5 million people. Later, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple and Bob Dylan appeared on this scene.

Kensington Gore, Kensington

Since Lady Diana's death in 1997, no one has lived in Kensington Palace. Only now, the newly-made Princess Kate, thanks to her marriage to Prince William, has “settled in” it, after which the reconstruction of the building began. Over the course of two years, about £12,000,000 for the restoration of the palace.

The palace gardens are ideal for picnics and sports. They can also be viewed with a guide. In June 2000, a platform in memory of Princess Diana was opened there.

Address: Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX.

Of course everyone should visit this place. The park is located in the very center of the metropolis, it is very large, and is rightfully considered one of the largest in the city. Its area is 1.4 sq. km. Big concerts are often organized there, such as the Rolling Stones in 1969 or the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2004.

It takes a lot of time to walk through the entire park. But it's worth it, because in some places you can find interesting sights. One of them is Marble Arch, located in the northeastern part of the park.

In total, the park occupies more than 140 hectares of land.

Address: London - W2 2UH.

The City of London is the oldest part of London and is often referred to as square mile- "square mile". Only about 8000 inhabitants. The City of London is a kind of city within a city. It is best known as an international financial and business center capitals of England. All the headquarters and major world banks are located here.

Address: Hartmann Road.

There is a place in England where time has stopped - this is Madame Tussauds. Where else can you meet Albert Einstein, Frank Sinatra or David Beckham in one place. The modern museum was opened in 1884, since then it has been very popular not only among the British, but also among tourists around the world. Today the museum houses many figures of politicians, royal families, pop stars, actors and sportsmen. Thanks to its huge success, the museum has branches almost all over the world: Las Vegas, New York, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Shanghai, etc.

Address: Marylebone Road, Marylebone -NW1 5LR.

London - where to start? We have compiled a list of the most interesting sights in the city. Below you can read the stories of real travelers about these places.

Buckingham Palace

The center of attraction for tourists and just coming to London on business has always been Buckingham Palace (Buckingham Palace). This greyish building behind bars with gilded coats of arms is the center of world politics, diplomacy, as well as the office and home of Queen Elizabeth II. We can say that Buckingham Palace is a symbol of Great Britain and the monarchy as a whole.

Greenwich

Greenwich Park in London is one of those places that not only a true lover of England, but every traveler should see. Since I consider myself both of those and others, Greenwich was on my list of must-see attractions, if not the first, then certainly in the top ten. Where is Greenwich Park located?

Hyde Park

This park is perhaps the main item on the must see list for most tourists. At first, for this very reason, I bypassed it and preferred the quieter parks in north London. To tell the truth, with close acquaintance with Hyde Park, I only confirmed my opinion that it is the most popular and noisy ... but there is some special charm in this.

london eye

When visiting London, someone likes to go to museums, someone admires historical sights, someone walks the streets and enters pubs. But almost all tourists do not disregard the famous Ferris wheel "London Eye" (London Eye). I did not break away from the general trend, having got to London.

National Gallery London

The National Gallery in London is a symbol not only of English, but also of world art. Perhaps not everyone is interested in painting, and someone may think that this museum is only for amateurs. That's what I once thought too.

Natural History Museum in London

The National Museum of Natural History is not just a dusty cemetery of dinosaur bones, but a whole scientific institute, Temple of Nature, as it is sometimes called. Before, I did not know this and went to the museum without much enthusiasm, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and presentation of the exhibits. By the way, it was my birthday then, and, perhaps, it was thanks to the Natural History Museum that my mood was lifted for the whole day!

British museum

The British Museum is the largest collection of antiquities in the UK! Undoubtedly, he himself is the greatest monument England during its colonial heyday. This place is a must-visit, not only because it is one of the most popular museums in the world (according to some reports, more than six million visitors annually), but also because many of the exhibits of the British Museum are known to you for sure, even if you were not aware of their presence. right here.

Piccadilly Circus

By the end of my first week in London, I found myself thinking that when I was in the center, no matter where I went, I still ended up in Piccadilly Circus. Yes, this is such a strange observation. And this is not a historical landmark from the must-see category, like Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery, but nevertheless, it is a transport interchange of three major streets: Piccadilly Street, Regent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue.

Big Ben

Big Ben is a symbol of that London, where old women drink tea at five o'clock in the afternoon, and it always rains outside. Even for the thousandth time, when I look at this monumental tower, I feel awe! I even get the feeling that the queen at any moment can walk somewhere nearby in her crazy hat, because she also really likes to look at this typical London landscape.

Science Museum

You need to run to the London Science Museum in adolescence, when there is so much to learn and you are at a loss to think where to start. Unfortunately, I was a little late, but I still managed to appreciate the interesting presentation of scientific ideas and high-profile discoveries to the younger generation. Where is the Science Museum The Museum is located at Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

I don’t know about you, but all my childhood I was thrilled by Sherlock Holmes. After all, over the past fifty years, he has become a cult figure! The great detective fell in love with people so much that they extended his life by launching dozens of sensational film adaptations.

Mary-Ex

London, like any capital, and even as huge and famous as the capital of Great Britain, is famous for its skyscrapers. Many of them are rightfully considered real works of art, and some have become a symbol of the city in which they are located. One of these is, of course, the Mary-Ex skyscraper in London, which many call "The Gherkin" for its unusual shape.

albert hall

For me, the Albert Hall is a chic place where I would definitely go to the broadcast of Classic FM radio. Exquisite - that's the word to describe such a concert hall! It always seemed to me that it was difficult to seep in there, but no, this is a completely accessible and democratic place.

Theater "Covent Garden"

Once I was lucky enough to get tickets for Madama Butterfly at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden). To this day, I can't forget the sumptuous scenery and elegant foyer of the London Opera House. It was the real entrance to the high society.

Tower Bridge

What are the first attractions that come to mind for the average person when they hear the word "London"? I bet it's Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge. It is about the latter that I would like to tell you more.

Kensington Palace

To the west of Buckingham Palace is Hyde Park, a huge and famous for its speakers, smoothly flowing into Kensington Gardens. The gardens are surprisingly quiet, peaceful and calm. There I always rest my soul, and no matter what business I am in the capital of Great Britain, every time I find time to look here.

Tower

As an impressionable person, the Tower frightened me and attracted me with its extraordinary and rich history. I got into it not on my very first visit to London. I have already seen these light brick walls during a river walk along the Thames and somehow put off my trip here.

Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum seems to me undeservedly deprived of attention. When it comes to museums in London, everyone often remembers the famous British Museum with a rich historical collection of various civilizations from Ancient Greece and Egypt to African tribes and American Indians; the London National Gallery with paintings by Rembrandt, Monet, Manet and other outstanding masters, as well as the high-tech Science Museum with interactive installations and the Natural Science Museum with stuffed predators and dinosaur skeletons. The Victoria and Albert Museum is not particularly favored by Russian tourists and it is very rarely included in the number of must-sees, but in vain - the world's largest collection of arts and crafts and design is collected here.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is just as popular a London landmark as the Tower, Big Ben or Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square. Every time I visit, I try, if not to go inside, then at least take a walk around it. amazing building. If you take your eyes off Big Ben, you will find a huge gray cathedral building nearby.

Museum of London

Museums that would cause my admiration and the desire to recommend them to everyone-everyone-everyone, I happened to visit quite a lot. The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum amazed me with their richest collections. cultural heritage different nations, Lennusadam in Tallinn is remembered for its unique exhibits: an active submarine and an icebreaker from the early 20th century that can be explored – what could be cooler? However, the museum where I wandered until closing and this was not enough for me, so far I have met only one - this is the Museum of London.

Kensington Gardens

London is not only ancient churches, beautiful palaces or a futuristic City. London is also parks, both royal and ordinary. When I first came to this city, I was surprised how green it was, how many squares and parks flowing into each other, how many people running there or riding horses.

Little Venice in London

Little Venice is the perfect place to take a break from the bustle of the city of London. There are no noisy tourists, flashy signs or honking cars. Walking along the canals, you enjoy the smell of fresh grass, admire the boats moored along the shore and feel some special harmony.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square ... This phrase is so familiar to everyone that it is simply impossible not to visit here upon arrival in London. Didn't miss this architectural monument and I. The monumental Nelson's Column in the center of the square, the famous stone lions, live pigeons - all this is already more of a part of postcard London, but no matter how the eye is blurred by textbook views, believe me, this place is worthy of your attention.